Srinagar, Oct 09 (KNO): Apple harvesting across Kashmir is gathering momentum, with growers stepping up picking and transportation of fruit to markets and cold storage facilities as the Meteorological Department forecasts rain in parts of Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days
With the autumn harvest entering a crucial phase, orchardists are keen to complete the picking of mature fruit before adverse weather conditions affect orchard operations and the quality of the produce.
Growers told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the ongoing harvesting period is particularly important for the Valley’s horticulture sector, which supports the livelihoods of thousands of farming families, labourers, transporters, fruit dealers and other people associated with the apple trade.
They said the pace of harvesting has increased in several apple-growing areas as orchardists try to make the most of the available dry weather before the anticipated precipitation.
“Every day is important for us at this stage of the season. We have to ensure that the mature fruit is picked on time and shifted to the market or cold storage before the weather changes,” a grower from south Kashmir said.
He said growers are closely watching weather updates while coordinating with labourers, transporters and traders to avoid delays in harvesting and the movement of fruit.
Another orchardist said unseasonal or prolonged rainfall during harvesting can complicate orchard operations, particularly when workers are required to pick fruit and transport it from orchards to collection points.
“We cannot afford unnecessary delays during the peak harvesting period. Once the fruit is ready, it needs to be picked carefully and handled properly. Any disruption in the weather or transportation can create difficulties for growers,” he said.
The growers, however, stressed that the impact of the forecast would depend on the intensity, duration and location of the precipitation.
Alongside the faster harvesting, demand for cold storage facilities is also gaining attention as growers and traders look for ways to preserve fruit and manage its sale over a longer period.
Cold storage enables growers and traders to hold suitable varieties under controlled conditions instead of being compelled to sell the entire produce immediately after harvesting. This can help spread supplies over time, although the eventual returns depend on market prices, storage charges, quality and demand.
Growers said storage facilities are particularly important when market arrivals increase during the peak season, as a large volume of fruit entering the market simultaneously can put pressure on prices.
“Cold storage gives us an option to keep good-quality fruit for a later sale instead of sending everything to the market at once. But storage is useful only when the price we receive later covers the cost of storage, transportation and other expenses,” another grower said.
Orchardists said smaller farmers often face greater difficulties in accessing storage facilities because of limited financial resources and the additional expenditure involved in keeping their produce for an extended period.
They called for affordable storage services, transparent charges and timely access to facilities so that growers could make decisions according to the quality of their fruit and prevailing market conditions.
Despite the progress in harvesting, growers said their returns would ultimately depend on market prices, transportation costs and the quality of fruit reaching buyers.
They said fluctuations in market rates, combined with expenditure on labour, packaging, pesticides, fertilisers and freight, continue to influence the profitability of apple cultivation.
“Growing an apple crop requires investment throughout the year. When harvesting begins, we have to spend more on labour, packaging and transportation. If market rates are not satisfactory, the returns become difficult to manage,” a grower said.
Apple cultivation remains one of Kashmir’s principal economic activities, providing employment and income across the agricultural supply chain. The harvesting period therefore has implications beyond orchards, affecting labourers, packaging units, transport operators, commission agents and wholesale markets.
Growers said the coming days would be important in determining how efficiently the remaining harvest is completed and how smoothly fruit is moved to storage facilities and markets.
They urged the authorities to ensure regular weather advisories, adequate transportation arrangements and better market support so that growers can minimise avoidable losses during the peak season—(KNO)